Prevalence, risk factors, and racial disparities in probable and possible dementia: the national health and aging trends study

While global frameworks highlight modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, evidence on how these risks affect diverse populations remains limited. This study determines the prevalence of probable and possible dementia, identifies primary predictors, and investigates risk variations across racial and ethnic groups in a nationally representative sample.

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Hearing loss is a recognised modifiable risk factor for dementia; audiologists should continue counselling patients on this link and prioritising hearing aid fitting in eligible older adults, consistent with existing guidance — this study reinforces but does not change current practice.

Confirming modifiable risk factors and racial disparities in dementia prevalence at a national scale strengthens the public-health case for audiology services as part of dementia-prevention strategies.

1. 01Data source: National Health and Aging Trends Study — a large, nationally representative U.S. cohort.
2. 02Examines both probable and possible dementia prevalence in diverse older adults.
3. 03Identifies modifiable risk factors, potentially including hearing loss.
4. 04Racial disparities in dementia prevalence are a central focus.
5. 05Published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (TJPAD).

PMID

42731172

DOI

10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100676.

Journal

The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Diverse older adults in the United States (National Health and Aging Trends Study participants)

Intervention

Observational analysis of modifiable risk factors and demographic variables